ONLINE ZOOM CONFERENCE
AL RAQS 2023
The only conference you need! Professionals of MENAHT dance region sharing their experience and know-how so you can learn everything that is not usually included in the dance class.
SEE YOU AT NEXT EDITION 15-19th January 2025
Let’s talk!
Hi, I am Sheyla – Raqs Sharqi dancer, Egyptian folklore researcher and life enthusiast! I strongly believe that we, as dancers of the MENAHT region dances, have the power to address crucial topics that are often overlooked in dance workshops. That’s why I’ve created this extraordinary conference.
5 days of conference
11th Oct – 15th Oct 2023
Prepare to be inspired as each day of the conference is dedicated to a major subject, brought to life by six exceptional speakers. In their captivating 50-minute Zoom lectures and talks, these speakers will share their invaluable experiences and expertise, leaving you with a wealth of knowledge to explore. And don’t worry if you can’t make it to a session live—every lecture will be available for streaming access for 45 days. Every day we will have a round table to wrap up the subject and answer questions.
History & Research
Unearth dance’s rich past and delve into current research for a deeper understanding.
Culture & Heritage
Immerse in cultural context, honoring the rich heritage we draw upon in our dance.
Dance-life Balance
Navigate the delicate dance of balancing career and personal life. Get inspired by speaker’s talks.
Being professional
Discover the essence of professionalism from different angles, embrace uniqueness.
On the stage
Unleash your artistry on stage and learn more about preparing a performance or theatre show.
Professional speakers
Our lineup of professional speakers is truly exceptional. With diverse backgrounds as dancers, researchers, musicians, and industry professionals, they bring a wealth of expertise to the table. Some will present their research, others will share personal experiences, but all of them are committed to empowering you as a conscious dancer, teacher, and human being.
30 speakers
Learn more about the conference speakers who hold their lectures/talks, some will be yet announced!
What people say about last year
Timetable of lectures 2023
Check your time zone www.worldtimebuddy.com, times below are CEST (Prague) and do not forget that you get 45 day stream access to all lectures after the conference. Each lecture/talk is max 50 min long followed by 10 min break.
11th Oct
History & research
Badriyah
Unveiling the Future: The Raqs Sharqi Museum and Its Path AheadSigrid Van Roode
Dancing with Spirits. The silver jewellery of the Egyptian zārx
xLaska
Little Egypt and the Introduction of Belly Dance in the U.S.tChristine Şahin
Pyramid Street Cabarets: Negotiating Slippery Stages and Contradictory CompetitionsNisaa
Mapping a Belly Dance Landscape: The Intertwined Histories of Belly Dance, Belly Dancers, and the City of CairoRaphael Cormack
Beba Ezzeldin – An overlooked dance superstar of the 1930sROUND TABLE
12th Oct
Culture & Heritage day
Sahra Saeeda
Suez Canal Bambouteyya Dances - prerecordedKhadijah
Al- Khaleej 1.0 (The African experience edition) - prerecordedSerkan Tutar
Turkish Style Bellydance in Dance worldMaya Youssef
Maqam: The Key to Embody Arabic MusicAmel Tafsout
Maintaining the Tradition of North African Maghreb Dance in the 21st CenturyDance Archivist
Video archive: why does it matter?ROUND TABLE
13th Oct
Dance-life balance
Kamrah
"Neurospicy": Dancing and Neurodivergency - prerecordedDiscussion round
Pregnancy & Parenting: Balancing Dance and ParenthoodJana Mitzoda
Dancing your inner game: What's standing in the way?Samantha Karim
Building Resiliency In Dance - How Failing Leads To SuccessDrake Von Trapp
Men and Masculinity in American Belly DanceDhara
Stage Fright and how to navigate itROUND TABLE
14th Oct
Being professional
Sheyla
Before you start organizing eventsSilvia Brazzoli
How to build up a community onlineJasirah
Maintaining healthy & successful careerJulia Farid
Empowering Oriental dance teachers to overcome challengesKatie Sahar
Self Promotion for people that hate self promotionSiobhan Camille
Movement Mythbusting: Addressing persistent anatomical and movement misconceptions in raqs sharqi and fusion danceROUND TABLE
15th Oct
On the stage
Jillina
From the Studio to the Stage - prerecordedMenwa Dukhan
Insights on Dance culture in the UAEKaidi Udris
Dance in Egypt Beyond bellydanceMercedes Nieto
Amplifying voices” - choreographing and leading a performing dance troupe with unity and messageMelissa Gamal
The Performer's guide: The Artist vs. The EntertainerZara
"Living with Shame": An insight into traumas Egyptian dancers faceROUND TABLE
Prices
Early bird
first 50 participants- SOLD OUT
- The whole program of online ZOOM conference + 45 day stream access after the conference
Mid-sale
51 - 100 participants- SOLD OUT
- The whole program of online ZOOM conference + 45 day stream access after the conference
Late-sale
from 101 participants- SOLD OUT
- The whole program of online ZOOM conference + 45 day stream access after the conference
Scholarships
for reduced prices- CLOSED
- The whole program of online ZOOM conference + 45 day stream access after the conference
- For those who cannot afford it we will have 2 rounds of scholarships
∗ We do not seel single lectures, the price for conference is all-you-can-attend for one price.
2023 closed
SEE YOU AT NEXT EDITION 15th – 19th January 2025
Conference team
I am a professional dancer since 2006 and I focus on Egyptian traditional dances and music, doing my research and teaching lectures and workshops. Last year I went to Egypt to film the Funoon Shaabeya document about traditional artists. I also organize dance conference for 10 years in Czech republic, where I am from, and this year I decided to bring it to international level.
Anna is a cultural manager based in Prague. She is working for live events, as contemporary circus festival Letni Letna (coordinating production and international projects) or coordinating educational projects for cultural leaders. During Covid times she found another field of expertise which is coordinating and technical support for live online zoom events.
Badriyah is a professional Raqs Sharqi dancer, devoted mainly to Egyptian classical and folklore styles, and the Golden Age of Raqs Sharqi. Most of all, Badriyah treasures the ten years of performing with Bellydance Evolution (BDE): an international belly dance – theatre show, led by Jillina from USA. Badriyah performed more than 60 shows with the company, both as a troupe dancer and a lead dancer.
Based in Minneapolis, MN, USA, Alana is an artist and dancer who brings arts administration experience from her work over the last four years with non-profit arts organization, Jawaahir Dance Company. She had the opportunity to work in this arts support setting on various tasks including online marketing, communications and more.
Leandra is a raqs & traditional dances oriented project manager/assistant. She is based in Eastern Netherlands. Leandra has degrees in both graphic design and safety & security management. She is experienced in several styles or raqs, classical ballet and several folk dance styles.
Conditions of attendance
- Conference is held online using ZOOM
- All lectures are recorded and available to stream for 30 days after the conference
- In case lecturer will not be able to do lecture at original time (due to serious matter – illness etc.), we will schedule new date/time with the lecturer (recordings will be available for 45 days after this lecture happens live)
- We reserve the right to change the schedule if there will be any serious reason (lecturer canceling their attendance, new subject that is more actual, number of speakers etc.)
- There are no refunds possible once paid for any reason as you are getting your recordings even though you might not attend live zoom sessions
- If you no longer with to attend, please find someone to replace you and notify us, we will transfer the access to chosen person
- Safe space! All constructive opinions are welcome in discussions and round tables, but there is zero tolerance for racism, hateful comments towards cultures, gender, health conditions etc. I want this space to be safe with no harm to lecturers or participants. If such event occurs, participant will not be alowed to join discussions and round tables.